Top 10 Cricketers Banned for Match Fixing TOP 10 CRICKETERS BANNED FOR MATCH FIXING Top 10 Cricketers Banned for Match Fixing Topics Ajay Jadeja Mohammad Azharuddin Over the years, controversies surrounding cricket have marred the beauty of 'the gentleman's game', with match-fixing, being the ugliest blotch in it. The conviction of Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir on charges of spot-fixing has come as a shock to cricket-lovers and the cricketing community. Time and again, allegations of match-fixing against players surface bringing shame to the spirit of the game. Throughout the history of cricket, there have been a number of players that have been banned from the game of cricket for match-fixing and here are 10 of them. 1.

Hansie Cronje Image Credit: Ãï¿½ï¿½ BCCL Hansie Cronje, the man whom batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar considered the toughest bowler to bat against, was charged with match-fixing on April 2000, along with other South African cricketers, Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Styrdom. Denials were made by the South African cricket board as well as the players with regard to the allegations levelled against them. 3 Days later, Cronje was sacked as captain after confessing that he hadn't been "entirely honest". a number of startling revelations were made by players and Cronje himself, about his dealings with bookmakers. Cronje was banned from playing or coaching cricket for life on 11 October. After approximately 2 years, Cronje, aged 32, died in a plane crash, which also killed his two pilots. 2. Mohammad Azharuddin Image Credit: Ãï¿½ï¿½ BCCL Azharuddin was the shining star of the Indian cricket team till the time he played for the team. He was an excellent batsman and fielder and an inspirational leader of his team.

He is the one of the most successful captains of Team India, statistically, with a record win of 103 ODI matches as captain that is still unmatched. However, allegations of match fixing were levelled on him after Hansie Cronje's confession which named Azharuddin as the main person who introduced the bookies to him. A CBI enquiry followed and Azharuddin, eventually admitted to fixing 3 ODI matches. This led him into being banned from cricket for life by BCCI in the year 2000, which was lifted six years later. 3. Manoj Prabhakar Image Credit: Ãï¿½ï¿½ BCCL Manoj Prabhakar was a significant part of the Indian cricket team in the early 1990s. He was a shrewd bowler who made batting difficult for his opponents. His career was, however, short-lived as he retired immediately after being dropped from the squad in the 1995-96 World Cup. In 2000, he tried to implicate other cricketers, including Kapil Dev, in the match-fixing controversy which backfired on him.

He was found guilty of involvement in match-fixing and was handed a 5-year ban by BCCI. He then tried, unsuccessfully, to enter politics and then took to coaching for good. 4. Herschelle Gibbs Image Credit: Ãï¿½ï¿½ BCCL The match-fixing allegation that consumed Hansie Cronje's cricketing career also blotted Herschelle Gibbs's career. In a heart-breaking moment he tearfully admitted that he had, in fact, accepted $15,000 to score "less than 20" in an ODI match from captain Cronje. He however, could not convince himself to keep his side of the bargain and scored 74 instead. He was therefore banned only for 6 months following which he came back to the South African team and resurrected himself as a player of class and worth. 5. Henry Williams Image Credit: sports (dot) in (dot) msn (dot) com Like Herschelle Gibbs, Williams too had agreed to underperform at an ODI match in Nagpur. The South African bowler, however injured his shoulder and couldn't complete his second innings, as a result of which he didn't receive any payment.

He too was banned from international cricket for 6 months. He never returned to play cricket and later became the bowling coach at Boland. 6. Marlon Samuels Image Credit: Ãï¿½ï¿½ BCCL The West Indian cricketer was accused by the Indian Police of leaking out team information to a bookie prior to their match against India in 2007. The police claimed to have a taped conversation between Samuels and a bookmaker, Mukesh Kochchar. In 2008 he was banned by ICC for 2 years after being found guilty of breaking rules made to stop players from betting despite him claiming innocence throughout. After the expiry of his ban, he once again resumed the game of cricket, playing for Jamaica and then for West Indies. 7. Ajay Jadeja Image Credit: Ãï¿½ï¿½ BCCL Ajay Jadeja was the darling of the Indian team thanks to his brilliant fielding and equally good batting. The findings of a CBI inquiry found him guilty with match-fixing following which he was banned by the BCCI for 5 years.

Jadeja challenged the ban in the Delhi High Court, which was dismissed after no one represented his case when the petition was taken for hearing. Later, however, he was permitted to play domestic matches following which he became the captain of Delhi and Rajasthan. In the meanwhile, he joined Bollywood , though he never found success in it. 8. Maurice Odumbe Image Credit: cricket (dot) krikk (dot) com Maurice Odumbe was one of Kenya's leading players. Following allegations of match-fixing yet again in the year 2004, ICC found Odumbe guilty of receiving money from bookmakers and was subsequently banned from cricket for 5 years. After his suspension, Odumbe became heavily involved in social work especially helping AIDS orphans. After the completion of his ban he returned to playing cricket, but at a domestic level. 9. Ajay Sharma Image Credit: Ãï¿½ï¿½ BCCL Ajay Sharma was considered to be the most prolific run-maker in first class cricket with an average of 67.46. He had many records behind him in domestic cricket but had an average show in the Indian Cricket team.

His career finally ended after he was awarded a life ban following his implication in a match-fixing scandal. 10. Saleem Malik Image Credit: newshopper (dot) sulekha (dot) com Saleem Malik was a prominent part of the Pakistani cricket team till a notable period of time. He played many memorable innings for the country and even captained the team at one stage. He was accused of offering bribes and was handed a life ban in 2000 becoming the first cricketer ever to be banned. He claimed innocence from the very beginning, which was later found to be true. His ban was overturned in 2008, but he never returned to playing cricket again. You may also like: South Africa: Gibbs Gets Two-Test Ban for Comments - allAfrica.com South Africa: Gibbs Gets Two-Test Ban for Comments more By Mark Smit Johannesburg — SOUTH African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs was banned for two Tests yesterday after being found guilty of an International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct level-three offence. If the ban takes effect, Gibbs will miss the next two Tests against Pakistan. But he was given 24 hours to appeal against the decision.

Gibbs was charged in terms a provision in the ICC code of conduct that penalises "any player found guilty of any language or gesture that offends, insults, humiliates or intimidates another person on the basis of that person's religion, colour, gender or national and ethnic origin". The code makes provision for bans of between two and four Tests and between four and eight one-day internationals for a level- three offence. The ban followed the fourth day of the first Test between Pakistan and SA in Centurion on Sunday, when Gibbs was overheard by on-field stump microphones to comment about a raucous group of Pakistan supporters. Gibbs admitted he made offensive remarks and apologised. The two comments that formed the basis of the complaint against Gibbs by the Pakistan Cricket Board to the ICC were: "These f...ing animals, they should all be sent to a zoo" and "these f...ing Pakistani animals". Gibbs will appear at an internal Cricket SA disciplinary hearing this morning arising out of the same incident. This is the second ban imposed on Gibbs. He received a six-month ban in 2000 for his part in the match-fixing scandal in India that brought down former captain Hansie Cronje.

He had a brush with authority when he was allegedly involved in a marijuana-smoking incident on tour in the West Indies and he was in trouble again for partying on the night before a one-day international against Australia. Yesterday, he was seen emerging from the ICC disciplinary hearing with two beers in hand. Asked for his views, South African captain Graeme Smith said there was "a lot of anger in the dressing room about the affair" and that there was strong support for Gibbs. "There is a degree of anger about what is going on and a lot of support for Herschelle," he said. "The team has been subjected to a lot of abuse from the Pakistani supporters and, for me, the worrying thing is security going forward. Pakistan has a great deal of support around the world and the security needs to be looked at. Copyright © 2007 Business Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media ( allAfrica.com ). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

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The conversation is about who is playing and who is not, who is in on the "deal", the amount alleged to be paid to Cronje and his team-mates Herschelle Gibbs, Pieter Strydom and Nicky Boje. Cronje denies any involvement in the matter, and the South African board, former players and media rally behind him. Cronje's denial April 9, 2000 South Africa's captain continues to stand his ground , saying at a press conference: "I want to make it 100% clear that I deny ever receiving any sum of money during the one-day international series in India. I want to also make it absolutely clear I have never spoken to any member of the team about throwing a game." Cronje confesses April 11, 2000 The South African board sacks Cronje after he calls the board's managing director, Ali Bacher, at 3am and admits he "had been dishonest" over his activities in India. Cronje acknowledges receiving $10,000 to 15,000 for "providing information and forecast but not match-fixing" during the one-day series in India.

Dodgy Test investigated April 12, 2000 The South African board says the controversial fifth Test between South Africa and England in Centurion in January, during which both sides forfeited an innings at Cronje's suggestion, will be investigated as part of the inquiry into match-fixing allegations. Umpires approached April 20, 2000 South African umpires Cyril Mitchley and Rudi Koertzen disclose that they were offered money to influence results of matches at different points in their career. English involvement April 27, 2000 Three England cricketers are cleared of allegations of match-fixing by an England and Wales Cricket Board inquiry. This follows a newspaper article by former England allrounder Chris Lewis making public allegations by an Indian businessman that three England players had received money for fixing the outcome of matches. Indian government steps in April 28, 2000 The Indian government orders the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the match-fixing allegations and to find out whether any Indian cricketer or official was involved.

More offers on the subcontinent April 30, 2000 The Sunday Times reveals that three Sri Lankan players were approached by Indian bookmakers during the 1992 Australian tour of Sri Lanka. According to the paper, Roshan Mahanama, Asanka Gurusinha and Sanath Jayasuriya were all approached and offered money for information and match forecasting, but the three players refused to cooperate. This is confirmed by the Sri Lankan board. Australia turns proactive May 6, 2000 The Australian Cricket Board decides to appoint an independent investigator to examine allegations of match-fixing and bribery but rules out a review of the case of Shane Warne and Mark Waugh, who were fined earlier for providing pitch and weather information to bookies on the 1994 tour of Sri Lanka. The Justice Qayyum report May 24, 2000 After a year-long inquiry, Pakistan's one-man judicial commission finds former captain Saleem Malik and medium-pacer Ata-ur-Rehman guilty of fixing matches and recommends life bans for the two. The report also says Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed should not be allowed to captain Pakistan in the future.

Rehman is reinstated on the official players' list in 2006. The King Commission enquiry June 7, 2000 Former South African cricketer Pat Symcox testifies before the King Commission, which is inquiring into the Cronje scandal, that he had been approached by Cronje about "throwing" a match against Pakistan during the 1994-95 season. He also confirms that during a team meeting in Mumbai in 1996, Cronje had conveyed an offer of $250,000 dollars to lose a one-dayer. Gibbs' confession pulled the rug out from under Cronje's defence © AFP A damning confession June 8, 2000 Herschelle Gibbs effectively seals Cronje's fate, confessing he had accepted an offer from his former captain to make less than 20 runs in a one-day match in India earlier in the year in exchange for $15,000.

More South Africans testify June 9, 2000 Nicky Boje, one of those named in the match-fixing case by the Delhi police, tells the King Commission he was shocked to hear his name linked to the scandal and said Cronje had never approached him with an offer to play badly. Seam bowler Henry Williams testifies that he had been offered $15,000 by Cronje to bowl expensively in a one-day international in India earlier in the year. Pieter Strydom reveals that he had been offered money by Cronje before the first Test against India in Mumbai in February. Cronje offered immunity June 10, 2000 After three days of damaging revelations during the King Commission hearings, Cronje is offered immunity from criminal prosecution in South Africa if he makes a full disclosure about his role in match-fixing. Bacher's accusations June 12, 2000 Ali Bacher tells the King Commission that he had been told by former Pakistan cricket chief executive Majid Khan that two World Cup matches in 1999, involving Pakistan, against India and Bangladesh were fixed. The claims are rubbished by the cricket boards of all three Asian countries.

Bacher also says that an Indian bookmaker had told him that Pakistani umpire Javed Akhtar was "on the payroll" when he made eight crucial decisions against South Africa in their decisive Test against England at Leeds in 1998. Kallis' testimony June 13, 2000 Jacques Kallis corroborates evidence by Mark Boucher and Lance Klusener that Cronje had made an offer to the three players in a hotel room before the second Test against India in Bangalore in March 2000. Cronje accuses Azhar June 15, 2000 Cronje confesses to taking about $100,000 in bribes from gamblers since 1996, but he claims that he had never thrown or fixed a match. He also announces his retirement from cricket. Cronje tells the King Commission that former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin had introduced him to a bookie who offered him money to throw a 1996 Test match during South Africa's tour of India. Azharuddin calls the allegation "rubbish".

Lara investigated June 17, 2000 The West Indies team management in England denies allegations that Brian Lara profited from placing bets on individual performances during matches in a tri-series in South Africa in 1993, but decides to investigate the charges a day later. Over a week later, the board says Lara is innocent of any wrongdoing after the bookmaker alleged to have placed Lara's bets signs an affidavit denying any involvement. Cronje breaks down June 23, 2000 Cronje is led away in tears after his three-day cross examination by the King Commission ends in Cape Town. He gives evidence clearly and admits that he accepted money from bookmakers and says his "great passion of the game and for my team-mates'' was matched by "an unfortunate love of money". Paul Condon heads ICC investigation June 26, 2000 Cronje begs forgiveness for his involvement in illicit gambling deals after the first round of hearings of the King Commission closes. A former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Paul Condon, is appointed director of the ICC's anti-corruption investigation.

Tax raids on Indian players July 20, 2000 In a swift and well-coordinated operation, Indian income tax officials raid the homes of top cricket players and officials across the country, including those of then national coach Kapil Dev, former players Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia and Nikhil Chopra. Two South African players banned August 28, 2000 The UCBSA bans Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams from international cricket until December 31, 2000, for their role in the match-fixing scandal. Pieter Strydom, is acquitted of conspiring to bet on the outcome of the Centurion Test againt England in January. Kapil resigns as coach September 12, 2000 Facing a government inquiry into corruption in cricket, Kapil Dev steps down as coach of the Indian team. He says quitting is not an admission of guilt, and that he was hesitant to leave the team in a lurch ahead of the ICC Knock-Out tournament in October. Life ban for Cronje October 11, 2000 The UCBSA imposes a life ban on Cronje.

The ban, which was widely expected, extends to all the UCBSA's related cricket activities as well as that of its affiliates. Mohammad Azharuddin: banned for life JOHN MACDOUGALL / © AFP Big names accused by bookie October 31, 2000 Several players are named by bookmaker MK Gupta in the CBI report in India, among them Brian Lara, Dean Jones, Alec Stewart, Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva, Martin Crowe and Saleem Malik. The most damning indictment in the CBI report is of former captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who the report says confessed to fixing games with the help of colleagues Ajay Jadeja and Nayan Mongia. The CBI also says it has found no concrete evidence against Kapil Dev. Ranatunga and de Silva investigated November 6, 2000 The Sri Lankan board appoints a one-man commission of inquiry to probe the charges of match-fixing against the two players and asks for a report within a month. De Silva is dropped from the squad for South Africa. Both are cleared of charges in July 2001 due to "inadequate and untested" evidence.

The New Zealand Cricket board announces that Retired High Court judge Sir Ian Barker and Christchurch barrister Nick Davidson will head its anti-corruption inquiry to investigate the allegations that Martin Crowe received money from an Indian bookmaker. Crowe is also cleared in July 2001 of any wrongdoing. Nayan Mongia found not guilty November 27, 2000 Mohammad Azharuddin is found guilty of match-fixing, while Ajay Jadeja, Manoj Prabhakar, Ajay Sharma and former Indian team physio Ali Irani are found guilty of having links with bookies by the BCCI's anti-corruption commissioner K Madhavan. Nayan Mongia is exonerated of all charges. December 5, 2000 India's cricketing authorities slap a life ban on Azharuddin, and Ajay Jadeja for five years for their role in match-fixing, confirming the interim bans imposed in November. Ajay Sharma is also banned from the game for life, while Prabhakar and the Indian team's former physio, Ali Irani, are barred from holding any official post in Indian cricket for five years.

Jadeja's ban is overturned by the Delhi High Court in January 2003, saying there is no proof of his guilt. In May 2003, the court rules that Jadeja should be allowed to play domestic cricket. Sharjah investigated December 10, 2000 Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd is named as head of a three-member team to probe allegations of match-fixing in tournaments organised by the CBFS in Sharjah. The investigation team is to include a lawyer and a senior police official from Sharjah. Stewart cleared July 11, 2001 England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart is cleared of allegations that he took money from a bookmaker in return for providing team and pitch information during England's 1992-93 tour of India, Sir Paul Condon's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACSU) confirms in a statement in London. World Cup game investigated June 22, 2002 Pakistan's Bhandari Commission, instituted primarily to investigate the Pakistan-Bangladesh match in the 1999 World Cup, releases its report with little credible evidence to incriminate the players.

No case against Atapattu May 12, 2004 The Sri Lankan board announces that the match-fixing investigation against Marvan Atapattu has been dropped for lack of evidence. The investigation followed the discovery of about Rs 1.1 million ($11,150 approx) in cash in Atapattu's hotel room during England's tour of Sri Lanka in December 2003. Odumbe banned August 17, 2004 Kenya's former captain, Maurice Odumbe, is banned for five years by the Kenyan Cricket Association after being found guilty of receiving money from bookmakers on several occasions. Boje skips India tour November 3, 2004 Nicky Boje pulls out of a two-Test tour of India after being told he might be detained by Indian police over their match-fixing investigations. Stephen Fleming reveals offer November 7, 2004New Zealand's captain claims he was offered £200,000 (approx $370,000) by an Indian sports promoter during the 1999 World Cup to join a match-fixing syndicate.

Murali denies betting links September 16, 2005 Muttiah Muralitharan dismisses rumours regarding his alleged connection with a Mumbai bar dancer and, through her, with the betting syndicates. His statement comes after a week of intense speculation in the Indian media on the renewed threat of match-fixing. Qayyum's soft corner for Akram January 16, 2006 The Pakistan Cricket Board appoints lawyers to look into the ramifications of a revelation by Justice Qayyum that he was soft on Wasim Akram in his report. Gibbs questioned October 12, 2006 The Delhi police question Herschelle Gibbs for over two hours about the South Africa tour of India in 2000. Gibbs allegedly names Derek Crookes, the former South Africa spinner, as being involved in match-fixing. Crookes denies the allegation, saying he was cleared by the King Commission. Samuels' bookie connection May 13, 2008 Marlon Samuels is banned for two years for allegedly passing on match-related information to an Indian bookie during West Indies' one-day series in India in 2007.

Saleem Malik's ban lifted October 23, 2008 A Pakistan court lifts the life ban imposed on the former Pakistan captain for his involvement in match-fixing. Marlon Samuels was banned in 2008 for allegedly passing on information to an Indian bookie © Getty Images Bookies contact Pakistan? August 10, 2009 The ICC says that its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), on investigation, found "no substance" and "no evidence" to support suggestions that Pakistan players had contact with Indian bookmakers during their tour of Sri Lanka. Fixing accusations in the ICL August 10, 2009 An audio tape of a phone conversation between Mohammad Illyas, a Pakistan selector, and Saleem Altaf, the PCB's chief operating officer, alludes to match-fixing in the ICL. Illyas, father-in-law of Imran Farhat, who played in the ICL, accuses senior Lahore Badshahs players of having fixed matches.

Australian approached August 18, 2009 The Australian team management files a report with the ACSU after one of their players says he was approached by a man suspected of links to illegal bookmaking, after Australia's defeat to England in the Lord's Ashes Test. County cricket is hit May 15, 2010 Essex cricket players Danish Kaneria and Mervyn Westfield are arrested following an investigation into betting irregularities but are not charged. Shakib-Al-Hasan approached May 26, 2010 The Bangladesh captain confirms he received an approach, believed to be in March 2008, from an unknown person who Shakib believed wanted him to manipulate the result of a one-day international against Ireland. Pakistan under fixing scanner again August 29, 2010 The fourth Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's was at the centre of a police investigation into spot-fixing following the arrest of a 35-year-old man, who was allegedly caught claiming to have bribed Pakistan's bowlers to bowl no-balls on demand. Siddarth Ravindran is a sub-editor at Cricinfo © ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

BBC News | SOUTH ASIA | Video backs match fixing claims Saturday, 27 May, 2000, 21:05 GMT 22:05 UK Video backs match fixing claims Accusers: Web journalist Tarun Tejpal (left) and Manoj Prabhakar A team of journalists and a veteran Indian cricketer have released a secretly filmed videotape as new evidence of match fixing by top cricket players. Former cricketer Manoj Prabhakar claims conversations with former officials and players point the finger at senior national figures in the Indian game. To clean the game, I have taken this step Manoj Prabhakar Mr Prabhakar produced the 90-minute videotape at a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday, two days after he accused former Kapil Dev of offering him 2.5 million rupees to underplay against Pakistan in 1994. The allegations have been strenuously denied by Kapil Dev. Mr Dev, who denied the original allegations, and the other players named have declined to comment further.

A cleaner game Mr Prabhakar said he may lose all his friends in the cricketing world as a result of the tape, which was the result of a two-month investigation with journalists from a newly launched internet site - tehelka.dot.com. Kapil Dev denies the allegations of match fixing "To clean the game, I have taken this step," he said. "I hope our people also, like South African captain Hansie Cronje, come forward and admit they made mistakes." Cronje has admitting that he received money from an Indian bookmaker in exchange for information The government has asked India's federal investigating agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to probe the charges of match-fixing against Indian cricketers. The CBI already has questioned several cricketers. Poor quality The new material, which has poor picture and sound quality, does not offer direct evidence of malpractice. But it is likely to give fresh impetus to the passionate debate over match fixing which has dominated the headlines in India. Mr Prabhakar holds up a copy of the secretly filmed video Cricket is a public obsession in India and top players have a celebrity status that is almost unrivalled.

Mr Prabhakar claims match fixing has been prevalent in Indian cricket since the early 1990s and that top players, officials and even politicians were personally involved. The release of this material appears to be part of Prabhakar's attempt to substantiate his allegations against Mr Dev and clear his name. But there are fears that match fixing is widespread throughout the cricketing world. In Pakistan, the disgraced former cricket captain, Salim Malik, has been banned for life after being found guilty by a judicial commission of match fixing. Six other Pakistani cricketers were fined. The inquiry commission in South Africa is due to publish its findings into the Cronje scandal in June. Search BBC News Online Sreesanth denies IPL spot-fixing claims - BBC News Sreesanth denies IPL spot-fixing claims 22 May 2013 Close share panel Image caption Fast bowler S Sreesanth has represented India in many international matches Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth, arrested last week over allegations of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League, has insisted he is innocent. "I've never indulged in any spot-fixing and have always played cricket in the spirit of the game," he said in a statement released through his lawyer.

It is his first statement since the allegations surfaced. Sreesanth was arrested last week with Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, fellow bowlers from the Rajasthan Royals team. On Tuesday, a court extended their custody for five more days. Spot-fixing involves illegally rigging parts of a match, for example by timing the delivery of a deliberate wide or no-ball, to benefit bookmakers or those betting on matches. The families of the three cricketers say they are innocent. Last week Sreesanth's lawyer said the allegations were baseless.

Timeline: Cricket in trouble June 2000: South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje admits receiving money for giving information to bookmakers August 2000: South African team-mates Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams given six-month bans from international cricket for agreeing to accept money May 2008: West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels banned for two years after being found guilty of breaking rules designed to stop players betting on matches November 2011: Pakistani players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir banned after being found guilty of involvement in a betting scam February 2012: Former Essex county cricketer Mervyn Westfield serves two months in jail for accepting or obtaining a corrupt payment June 2012: Pakistani bowler Danish Kaneria banned for life from playing in England and Wales after being found guilty of corruption June 2012: Five Indian domestic players banned after a sting by undercover TV reporters purported to show cricketers agreeing to bowl no-balls and spot-fix matches The players have been suspended by India's cricket board and the Rajasthan Royals. The Rajasthan Royals team are owned by Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra.

They are captained by legendary Indian batsman Rahul Dravid. 'Tough period' "I am innocent and have done no wrong," Sreesanth, the most high-profile among the arrested men, said in his statement on Tuesday night. The cricketer has represented India in 27 Tests and 53 one-day internationals. "As a cricketer, I have learnt to take knocks along with accolades, in my stride. I recognise that I am going through a tough period in my life," the statement read. The cricketer said he had "utmost faith in our judicial process and I am confident that with time I will be proved innocent, and my honour and dignity will be vindicated and restored". Police say the players used codes like "rotating their watches" and "putting towels in their pants". Other ways of communicating with the bookmakers included taking out lockets from their shirts, or making signs with their clothes, police said. More than a dozen bookmakers have also been arrested in connection with the spot-fixing inquiry. On Tuesday, Mumbai police arrested actor Vindoo Randhawa, the first Bollywood personality to be arrested in connection with the scandal.

Mr Randhawa, who won series three of Bigg Boss - India's version of the television show Big Brother - has made no public comment yet. The sixth season of the IPL, which is considered to be the world's showcase for Twenty20 cricket, is currently under way in India. Top Indian and international players are taking part, contributing to what is the world's richest cricket tournament. Wasim Akram Suspected of Match Fixing in Asia Cup? Wasim Akram Suspected of Match Fixing in Asia Cup? Posted on March 11, 2016 Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif, who on Wednesday lost their appeal at the Court of Abritration for Sport against spot-fixing bans, were the first players with team-mate Mohammad Aamer to be punished by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Before them all the players who had been implicated in corruption cases were dealt with by their respective cricket boards. Life bans May 2000: Former Pakistan captain Salim Malik banned for life by a judicial inquiry conducted by judge Malik Mohammad Qayyum.

Malik was alleged to have fixed matches on Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand in 1993, South Africa and Zimbabwe (1994-95). Australian players Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Tim May also alleged Malik offered them bribes to underperform during Australia’s tour to Pakistan in 1994. Team-mate Rashid Latif also accused Malik of wrongdoing. Pakistan paceman Ata-ur-Rehman banned for life for perjury during the Qayyum inquiry. His ban was overturned by the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2003 — a decision accepted by the ICC in 2006. October 2000: Former South African captain Hansie Cronje banned for life by the United Cricket Board of South Africa after he admitted to match-fixing and having contacts with book-makers. Cronje died in a place crash in June 2002. December 2000: Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin banned for life after an investigation conducted by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He was found to have contacts with book-makers and manipulated match results.

December 2000: Former Indian off-spinner Ajay Sharma banned for life in the same CBI inquiry. June 2012: Indian paceman TP Sudhindra given a life-ban after he was found guilty of “receiving a consideration to spot-fix” in a domestic match. Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria was banned for life by the the England and Wales Cricket Board after he was found guilty of corruption. The PCB subsequently extended the ban to include his native country. Bans: December 2000: The same CBI inquiry found Ajau Jadeja to have links with bookmakers. He was banned for five years but on appeal allowed to play in domestic cricket in India three years later. October 2000: South African opener Herschelle Gibbs banned for six months after admitting being offered money to under-perform. October 2000: South African paceman Henry Williams banned for six months after admitting taking money from Cronje to under-perform. August 2004: Kenyan cricketer Maurice Odume banned for five years by the Kenyan Cricket Association after it was found that he received money from bookmakers.

May 2008: West Indian all-rounder Marlon Samuels banned for two years after it was proved he took money from a bookie to give match-related information. February 2011: Salman Butt banned for 10 for spot-fixing. Mohammad Asif banned for seven years and Mohammad Aamer for five years. January 2012: Former Essex quick bowler Mervyn Westfield received a five-year ban after he pleaded guilty to spot-fixing in a Pro40 tie against Durham in 2009. June 2012: Indian trio Mohnish Mishra, Amit Yadav, Abhinav Bali were banned by for a year by the BCCI’s disciplinary committee for bringing the game into disrepute following an Indian TV sting. Shalabh Srivastava, also caught up in the sting, was barred from cricket for five years after he was deemed guilty of agreeing and negotiating terms to fix a match, though no fixing ultimately took place. September 2012: Ex-Bangladesh cricketer Sheriful Haque was handed an indefinite suspension after allegations of spot-fixing made by compatriot Mashrafe Mortaza were substantiated.

Fines: December 1998: Warne fined (10,000 Australian dollars) and Mark Waugh (Aus $8,000) for taking money from a bookmaker for providing match-related information during a tour to Sri Lanka in 1994. The matter was only brought to light after four years. May 2000: Pakistan’s Wasim Akram was fined 300,000 rupees ($4,000)on his role in match-fixing and offering bribes to other players to under-perform. He was also censured and banned from leading Pakistan again.

Five other players, leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed (300,000 rupees), Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar and Akram Raza (100,000 rupees) all fined for their roles in match-fixing after Qayyum inquiry Source:- Boje denies match fixing - Cricket - Sport - smh.com.au Boje denies match fixing Large font December 12, 2007 - 10:35AM Whatever questions we wanted to ask him, we have done that and we will now conduct further enquiries South African cricketer Nicky Boje after being questioned by Indian Crime Branch officials in New Delhi. Photo: AFP South African bowler Nicky Boje today denied charges of match-fixing under questioning by Indian police probing the scandal which hit cricket seven years ago, officials said. The 34-year-old, who was escorted to a New Delhi interrogation centre by South African diplomats, was grilled for nearly two hours by Crime Branch detectives who are investigating the scandal, they said.

"He denied his role in the match-fixing scandal and so questions on all relevant aspects of the case was asked," police spokesman Rajan Bhagat told AFP. Bhagat however said the left-armed spinner, "cooperated nicely" after coming voluntarily from the northern Indian city of Panchkula, where he is playing in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) until Sunday. Boje was quizzed in connection with the match-fixing scandal involving then skipper Hansie Cronje and three of his teammates during South Africa's tour of India in 2000. "I was called in for questioning in an old matter by the Delhi police. I met up with them and have responded to the queries raised by them," Boje said in a statement, adding he looked forward to continue playing in the ICL tournament. Crime Branch chief Satyandra Garg said the player, who retired from international cricket last year, was extensively questioned. "We have interrogated him on all aspects of the case," Garg said in a statement after a visibly-relieved Boje was allowed to return to Panchkula.

"Whatever questions we wanted to ask him, we have done that and we will now conduct further enquiries," he added as others said Boje was also asked about his links with a South African bookie and if he held a bank account in London. The police had issued a summons on Wednesday, ordering Boje to "assist" detectives in the ongoing probe. Cronje, who died in an air crash in 2002, was banned for life over the scandal. Crime Branch officers said they had presented a written questionnaire to Boje. "He was asked to corroborate various things told to us by [South Africa's Herschelle] Gibbs when we interrogated him last year," a police officer, who declined to be named, told AFP. Boje had previously skipped two tours of India after failing to obtain assurances that he would not be detained by police. Batsman Gibbs was found guilty of being part of skipper Cronje's conspiracy in a public inquiry in South Africa. He was heavily fined and banned for six months after Indian police exposed the racket. Boje, Gibbs and Cronje are listed as the key suspects in India, where police registered a criminal case in May 14, 2000.

Gibbs was questioned by detectives when he flew to India for the Champions Trophy last year and admitted accepting money from Cronje to score fewer than 20 runs against India in a one-day match during the March to April 2000 tour. He named three teammates as co-conspirators. Delhi police say they recorded Cronje's telephone conversations with bookies in India in which he struck deals to throw one-day matches. AFP Match fixing & Spot fixing in Cricket: Timeline | Zee News Match fixing & Spot fixing in Cricket: Timeline Last Updated: Monday, September 13, 2010 - 17:52 0 Follow @ZeeNewsSports Zee Media Bureau As the latest ‘spot-fixing’ controversy hits cricket once again, let us remind ourselves that this is not the first time that the game has been haunted by this ‘menacing demon’. Here is a peek into the past, where we’ll see, when and how the devil of ‘match-fixing’ marred the face of cricket time and again! April 7, 2000 – The first blow!

Skipper Hansie Cronje, in particular, and several other Proteas players were charged by the Delhi police for fixing South Africa’s ODIs against India in March for money. Transcripts of an alleged conversation between Cronje and Sanjay Chawla, an Indian businessman (who was suggested to be a bookie) were released. Players like Herschelle Gibbs, Pieter Strydom and Nicky Boje were alleged to have taken money from Chawla. Cronje, however, rubbished the entire issue. April 11, 2000 – ‘Yes, I did it’ After a lot of denial, Cronje finally confessed to Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) managing director, Ali Bacher, that he “had been dishonest” over his activities in India. Cronje said that he received USD 10,000 to 15,000 for “providing information and forecast but not match-fixing” during the one-day series in India. The CSA, thereafter, sacked Cronje. April 20, 2000 – Umpiring alterations?

South African umpires Cyril Mitchley and Rudi Koertzen made a sensational claim that they too were offered money to influence results of matches at different points of time. April 28, 2000 – CBI probe in India ordered! Looking at the condition of international cricket then, the Indian government ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe if any Indian cricketer or official was involved in match-fixing. April 30, 2000 – Limelight on Sri Lanka! The Sunday Times revealed that three Sri Lankan players, namely, Roshan Mahanama, Asanka Gurusinha and Sanath Jayasuriya, were approached during the 1992 Australian tour of Sri Lanka by some Indian bookmakers. Reports claimed that the players were offered money to leak information about the match. They, however, refused to cooperate at the time of investigation and this was confirmed by the Sri Lankan board. May 6, 2000 - Australia appoints investigator! Cricket Australia appointed an independent investigator to examine alleged match-fixing and bribery reports.

The board, however, refused to review the case of Shane Warne and Mark Waugh, who were earlier penalised providing pitch and weather information to bookies on the 1994 tour of Sri Lanka. May 24, 2000 - The Justice Qayyum Report After a year-long inquiry, former captain Saleem Malik and medium-pacer Ata-ur-Rehman were found guilty of fixing matches by a report prepared by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum. These players were hence banded for life. The report also refrained Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed from Pakistan captaincy in future. June 7, 2000 – Can of worms spilled! Major revelations cropped up as many South African players came up with their confessions. Pat Symcox confessed to the King Commission that Cronje approached him earlier in 1994-95 to persuade him to ‘throw’ a match against Pakistan. He also claimed that Cronje had conveyed an offer of $250,000 dollars to lose an ODI during their tour to India in 1996.

Later, Herschelle Gibbs, Henry Williams and Pieter Strydom confessed to have been offered money by Cronje to under-perform during their ODI and Test tour of India earlier in the year. Nicky Boje, however, expressed his surprise in front of the King Commission about reports of being involved in the match-fixing scandal and said that he had never been approached by Cronje with an ‘offer’. June 10, 2000 – Immunity for Cronje! After a series of confessions during the King Commission hearings, Cronje was offered immunity from criminal prosecution in South Africa if he truthfully discloses his entire role in the scandal. June 12, 2000 - Bacher’s revelations Meanwhile, Ali Bacher revealed former Pakistan cricket chief executive Majid Khan told him that two World Cup matches in 1999, involving Pakistan, were fixed; one match was against India, the other against Bangladesh. The claims were, however, dismissed by all the cricket boards.

Also according to Bacher, an Indian bookmaker revealed to him that Pakistani umpire Javed Akhtar was “on the payroll” when he made eight crucial decisions during South Africa-England Leeds Test in 1998. June 13, 2000 - Kallis’ authentication Jacques Kallis confirmed evidence by Mark Boucher and Lance Klusener that Cronje made an ‘offer’ to them in a hotel room before the second Test against India in Bangalore in March 2000. June 15, 2000 - Cronje resigns, accuses Azhar Cronje confessed to the Kings Commission to have taken about USD 100,000 in bribes from gamblers since 1996, but never threw or fix a match. He also announced his retirement from cricket with an interesting revelation that former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin introduced him to a bookie during 1996 Test in India. Azharuddin called the allegation “rubbish”. June 17, 2000 – Lara under scanner!

The West Indies Cricket Association investigated Brian Lara’s involvement in any betting on individual performances during England-South Africa tri-series in 1993. A week later, the board confirms Lara’s innocence. June 23, 2000 – Teary Cronje! Cronje broke down to tears by the end of his three-day cross examination by the King Commission in Cape Town. He gave out clear evidence of having accepting money from bookmakers. Cronje later begged for forgiveness as Sir Paul Condon is appointed director of ICC’s anti-corruption investigation. July 20, 2000 – Indian players raided Home of several Indian players, including those of then national coach Kapil Dev, former players Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia and Nikhil Chopra, were raided by the Indian income tax officials. Later in September, Kapil resigned from his position owing to the corruption inquiry being carried out in the team.

August 28, 2000 – Gibbs, Williams banned The UCBSA banned Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams from international cricket until December 31, 2000, for their role in the match-fixing scandal, while Pieter Strydom is acquitted of conspiring to bet on the outcome of the Centurion Test in January. October 11, 2000 - Life ban for Cronje The UCBSA imposes a life ban on Cronje, which implied on all the UCBSA’s related cricket activities as well as that of its affiliates. October 31, 2000 – Azhar in a ‘fix’! CBI’s report revealed Mohammad Azharuddin, the then skipper of the Indian cricket team, confessed to fixing games with the help of Ajay Jadeja and Nayan Mongia. However, the report found no evidence against Kapil Dev. November 6, 2000 – Lankan links!

After bookmaker MK Gupta exposed the names of Brian Lara, Dean Jones, Alec Stewart, Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva, Martin Crowe and Saleem Malik in several match-fixing scandals, the Sri Lankan cricket board appointed a one-man inquiry commission investigate Ranatunga and de Silva. Both were cleared of all charges in July 2001 due to inadequate evidence. Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket board too announced an investigation into Crowe’s alleged involvement. He too was later cleared in July 2001 of any wrongdoing. November 27, 2000 – Azhar testified! Mohammad Azharuddin was found guilty of match-fixing, while Ajay Jadeja, Manoj Prabhakar, Ajay Sharma and former Indian team physio Ali Irani were found guilty of having links with bookies. Nayan Mongia, however, came out clean. BCCI, thereafter, slapped a life ban on Azharuddin, and ruled Ajay Jadeja out of international cricket for five years. Ajay Sharma was also banned for life, while Prabhakar and Irani, were barred from holding any official post in Indian cricket for five years.

Later, Jadeja’s ban was revoked by the Delhi High Court in January 2003 as there was no concrete proof of his guilt. In May 2003, the court allowed Jadeja to play domestic cricket. June 22, 2002 - World Cup investigated Pakistan’s Bhandari Commission investigated the Pakistan-Bangladesh match in the 1999 World Cup and came out with a report with little credible evidence. August 17, 2004 - Odumbe banned Kenyan Cricket Association levied a five-year ban on former captain Maurice Odumbe after he was found guilty of receiving money from bookmakers on several occasions. October 12, 2006 – Gibbs interrogated The Delhi police interrogated Herschelle Gibbs for over two hours about South Africa’s tour of India in 2000. Gibbs allegedly named Derek Crookes for being involved in match-fixing. Crookes denied the allegation, saying he was cleared by the King Commission. May 13, 2008 – ‘Fixing’ Samuels!

Marlon Samuels was banned for two years for allegedly passing on match-related information to an Indian bookie during West Indies’ ODI series in India in 2007. May 15, 2010 - County too not spared Essex cricketer Danish Kaneria and Mervyn Westfield were arrested but not charged after an investigation into betting irregularities. August 29, 2010 – For the latest, let’s go to Pakistan! International cricket received another major blow after bookie Mazhar Majeed revealed in a sting operation by News of the World that he bribed Pakistan bowlers to bowl no-balls on demand during the fourth Test against England at Lord’s. Skipper Salman Butt, pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir, wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and youngsters Umar Amin and Wahab Riaz are currently under the scanner for the same. May 14, 2011- ‘IPL Fixed’ In between the frenzy of slam-bang cricket that IPL has become synonymous with came a startling revelation of spot-fixing during its fifth edition.

A sting operation conducted by a news channel claimed to have unearthed shady deals among players, owners and organizers. Expressing shock at the development, the BCCI promptly stepped into action calling for emergency meeting of the IPL governing council and vowing to take appropriate action against the wrongdoers. May 16, 2013: Rajasthan Royals' players Sreesanth, Chandila, Chavan arrested for spot fixing Rajasthan Royals pace spearhead S Sreesanth and two other players - Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - were arrested on charges of spot-fixing. The police also arrested seven bookies in Mumbai and three bookies in Delhi in connection with the case. They are looking for two more bookies in Delhi. The special cell of the Delhi police arrested Sreesanth from his friend's place in Mumbai while the other two cricketers were arrested last night from the team hotel at Nariman Point. According to reports, the Delhi Police had been tapping phone calls of several bookies and cricketers, and incriminating evidence has been found against these three players. First Published: Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 14:07

Question: Which South African cricketer was banned for life after being found guilty of match fixing?
Answer: HANSIE CRONJE